Gavin McDonnell vs Jeremy Parodi
At the Sheffield Arena, England, Gavin McDonnell put in a mature, career-high performance against a very game, energetic Jeremy Parodi. This high-octane affair could have easily acted as the main event instead of Eubank Jr vs Jeter. But for obvious marketing reasons it didn’t.
McDonnell sucessfully defended his European Junior Featherweight title following 12 hard-fought, action-packed rounds. They were met by scores of 117-110 (twice) and 118-110.
First off, Parodi deserves a lot of credit for throwing relentlessly from the opening bell, maintaining a high-tempo, front-foot gameplan throughout. Tip of the hat, Jeremy. But it was McDonnell’s cleaner, sharper, more accurate work that made all the difference in this fight. And all the while under constant pressure from an experienced, well-rounded foe like Parodi.
After being slightly outworked in the opening two rounds, McDonnell gradually began to settle into the fight. By the time the middle rounds arrived, it was clear the Doncaster boxer had found his groove. And it was clear McDonnell, the younger brother of WBA Featherweight champ Jamie McDonnell, was a much improved fighter. A tight guard coupled with increased head movement made him a small target, indeed.
McDonnell now moves up to 14 wins, no defeats, 2 draws, 4 knockouts, while Parodi returns to France with 37 wins, 3 defeats, 1 draw, 9 knockouts.
Leigh Wood vs Josh Wale
Nottingham’s Leigh Wood had next to no problems outclassing Barnsley’s Josh Wale. Wood won via a shutout on Boxing Base’s card, looking extremely comfortable in this 10-round British Featherweight Eliminator. Officials ringside produced a Unanimous Decision for Wood via scores of 99-91 and 99-92 (twice).
Wale had his moments, but his straight-line, pressure style never really stood a chance of competing with Wood’s controlled, long-range boxing. Wood’s highly-disciplined game plan was commendable to say the least, putting in the exclamation mark by hardening his blows in the 9th and 10th.
Wood now finds himself in position to challenge British champ Ryan Walsh in his next outing, climbing to 15 wins, 1 defeat, 8 knockouts. Wale now falls to 18 wins, 7 defeats, 2 draws, 10 knockouts.
Give us your take on the Eubank Jr vs Jeter undercard in the comments, folks.
